*Exclusive* Nick Diaz to return at UFC 209

With his suspension now behind him (due to a positive test for marijuana metabolites after his UFC 183 fight with Anderson Silva), Nick Diaz is set to return to the Octagon. Diaz, who proudly reps the 209 of Stockton, CA, looks to make his return at, you guessed it, UFC 209.

Sources close to the UFC have confirmed to MikeSwick.com that the perennial welterweight title contender is looking to enter the cage once again March 4, 2017, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Diaz (26-9, 2NC) does not yet have an opponent confirmed for the event but every Diaz fight, whether it’s Nick or Nate, is a big fight so you can bet the short list of opponents is a “who’s who” of the division. However, two possibiliteis that jump out are a rumored rematch with Robbie Lawler and quite possibly a title shot as UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley took to twitter to call Diaz out.

Since we last saw Nick inside the octagon, the Diaz legend continued to grow as his brother Nate engaged in two epic wars with current UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor. Now that the Diaz brothers’ stock has once again risen, it is Nick’s turn to remind fight fans what fighting is all about.

As it pertains to UFC 209, while nothing has been signed, it is worth noting that Khabib Nurmagomedov was quoted on a a Russain talk show saying, “90% chance that my next fight will be on March 4 at UFC 209 against Tony Ferguson for the interim title”. Again, nothing is signed or confirmed and it wouldn’t be the first time that Khabib spoke of a match that didn’t come to fruition.

The UFC is closing out the year strong on the heels of the massively successful and historic UFC 205 in New York City, an amazing night of fights at UFC 206 on Toronto, UFC on FOX from Sacramento that arguably has one of the most exciting main cards of the year, and wrapping things up at UFC 207 with the return of perhaps the most famous mixed martial artist of all time in Ronda Rousey.

With the introduction of a new title for UFC 208, and the return of Nick Diaz at UFC 209, the UFC is showing no signs of slowing down in 2017.

Nick recently sat down with Jamey Jasta for an extensive interview where he touched on topics like Alvarez-McGregor and Ronda Rousey’s influence on his life. It’s definitely worth a listen, so click here to check it out.